Monday, January 30, 2017

Welcome to the final week of discussions for our new 2017 project, #12mos12rals!! Be sure to stay tuned in for more information on our next read coming later this week.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Week Four

Chapters 30-End, Pages 258-End

Today marks our final conversation about our first book of 2017. If you have read the book, feel free to link up your overall thoughts or reviews in the linky below. I would love to hear more about your thoughts on this book.

I loved this quote from the book . . .

"Loving someone is like moving into a house," Sonja used to say. "At first you fall in love with all the new things, amazed every morning that all this belongs to you, as if fearing that someone would suddenly come rushing in through the door to explain that a terrible mistake had been made, you were actually supposed to live in a wonderful place like this. Then over the years the walls become weathered, the wood splinters here and there, and you start to love that house not so much because of all its perfection, but rather for its imperfections. You get to know all the nooks and crannies. How to avoid getting the key caught in the lock when it's cold outside. Which of the floorboards flex slightly when one steps on them or exactly how to open the wardrobe doors without them creaking. These are the little secrets that make it your home." (p. 305-306)

Comment on this quote, or share one of your own favorites from the book.

The truism “it takes a village to raise a child” has some resonance with A Man Called Ove. How does the eclectic cast of posers, suits, deadbeats, and teens each help Ove in their own way? (From Backman's reading group guide.)

Much of the story of Ove’s life remains untold. Imagine a scene from Ove’s life that we didn’t see, and try your hand at writing it out. Short or long, funny or serious, do your best to get into Ove’s head and depict an event that led him to become the lovable pain in the neck that we meet in the book. (From Backman's reading group guide, enhance your book club.)

Thank you to all you have participated in the first book of #12mos12rals! We look forward to reading with you all this year, and hearing your thoughts on our selections. Stay tuned for more information on our next book, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. And, don't forget to enter to win in our surprise giveaway linked above!

Monday, January 23, 2017

Welcome to the third week of discussions for our new 2017 project, #12mos12rals!! We only have one week left before this great conversation comes to an end.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Week Three

Chapters 19-29, Pages 171-257

Before we begin, please note that this conversation only covers the noted chapters/pages above. Please do not share any spoilers beyond this point!

Let's talk about the significance of the cats in this story. The first one we meet is the one that simply does not leave Ove alone, and frequently sits outside his house. The second, yet the first to come in a chronological timeline, was actually his late wife's cat. What is the importance of both of these felines?

We finally learn about what happened with Ove's wife. Throughout the previous chapters, we get some hints, but we are mainly left in the dark. What are your thoughts about receiving only bit by bit until we are two-thirds of the way through the book?

Parvenah. She is quite the character that adds so much this tale. Without her, the story would simply not be the same. What stands out to you as a reader about her?

That's it for this week! Share your thoughts below in the comments section and/or feel free to link up in the linky below. Next week, we will chatting about chapters 30-End, pages 258-End.

Friday, January 20, 2017

I am so excited to announce a special surprise for our #12mos12rals participants! Atria Books and Simon & Schuster got word that we were featuring A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman this month, and they have graciously decided to share three signed bookplates in honor of the event! Thank you so much Atria Books and Simon & Schuster!! Be sure to check out the author's website for more information on our featured read as well as more books by Backman.

To be entered to win one of these special surprises, complete the form below AND comment on at least one of the discussion posts throughout the month. Entries will be accepted through Monday, January 30 at 11:59 PM MST. Winners will be announced via email and here on the blog on Tuesday, January 31.

Best of luck to all of you, and thank you for joining in the readalong fun!

Monday, January 16, 2017

Welcome to the second week of discussions for our new 2017 project, #12mos12rals!! Be sure to be watching for a fun little surprise coming later this week!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Week Two

Chapters 10-18, Pages 86-170

Before we begin, please note that this conversation only covers the noted chapters/pages above. Please do not share any spoilers beyond this point!

At the end of last week's chapters (through chapter 9), I was not sure if I wanted to keep reading. I was scared to know what would become of dear ol' Ove.

I was not aware when I began this book that a trigger warning may have been warranted. Suicide recurs again and again, or at least attempts too. And, suicide for me can be a difficult topic to come across unexpectedly in a novel. Were you affected by this in any way? How do you tend to react when you experience triggers while reading a book?

Ove's wife, Sonja once said, "You only need one ray of light to chase all the shadows away" (p. 108). This quote really struck a chord with me. Do you notice it while reading? If not, what are your thoughts reading it outside of the story?

Comment on your reaction to the interaction between Ove and Beppo the Clown. How did this exchange transform the relationship between Ove and the neighbor girls?

Was there anything else significant that you would like to discuss within this latest bout of reading? Anything that stood out for you that I have not yet addressed in my discussion questions.

That's it for this week! Share your thoughts below in the comments section and/or feel free to link up in the linky below. Next week, we will chatting about chapters 19-29, pages 171-257.

Monday, January 9, 2017

Welcome to the first week of discussions for our new 2017 project, #12mos12rals!! Let's get to it!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Week One

Chapters 1-9, Pages 1-85

Before we begin, please note that this conversation only covers the noted chapters/pages above. Please do not share any spoilers beyond this point!

A Man Called Ove is a book that I have found to be surrounded by lots of hype. Everyone that I have talked to that has read this book has raved about it. Going into the book with such high expectations can sometimes result in a not-so-great rating by the time you read the last page. Within the first 85 pages and/or 9 chapters, what are your initial thoughts about this book? Does it live up to the hype?

The main character, Ove comes across as a grumpy old man. The neighbors do not follow any of the policies, despite the many notices posted. The customer service rep at the tech store has no clue about selling computers. The new tall lanky neighbor cannot even back up a trailer. It appears that no one can meet his standards or do anything right in his eyes. Have you ever met a grumpy old man like this?

Speaking of a man with set expectations in life, this quote appears on page 37, chapter 5:

He was a man of black and white.

And she was color. All the color he had.

Comment on this quote.

And, the final quote I want to share is from page 78, chapter 8:

"Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say." said Ove.

In this quote, Ove is sharing a moral code that was passed down from his father. In your own words, what exactly does this mean? Do you see this code as being a bit old-fashioned, or do you still see it carrying over into our modern world?

That's it for this week! Share your thoughts below in the comments section and/or feel free to link up in the linky below. Next week, we will chatting about chapters 10-18, pages 86-170.

Monday, January 2, 2017

Here at Book Bloggers International, we like to change things up a little each year to keep things interesting. In 2017, we have decided to go to the heart of book blogging and spend more time with the books. Each month, we will be hosting a readalong for a different book. We are hoping to span all different genres and formats, and to really bring all of you book bloggers together around one great book every month.

At the beginning of each month, we will be announcing the book for the month and we will be spending all month reading and chatting about the book. If you have already read the book, stop by and join in the conversation. If you have not, but want to, then join in and read along with us. You can even follow along on social media with the hashtag #12mos12rals. If you would like to see a book read or would like to host a readalong for a month, let us know by emailing us at bookbloggersintl (at) gmail (dot) com.

Now for the month of January!! We will be reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman! The reading schedule is below. Please note that I have included both pages and chapters for those who may not have the same copy of the book as I do!

January 9: chapters 1-9 or pages 1-85

January 16: chapters 10-18 or pages 86-170

January 23: chapters 19-29 or pages 171-257

January 30: chapters 30-end or pages 258-end

On each of the days listed, questions and discussions will be posted. We encourage you to stop by and chat it up, leave your own links, and more. Throughout the week, you are also welcome to contribute to and follow the conversation and thoughts via #12mos12rals.